Clinical Exercise Physiologist: Importance Of Clinical Education

Clinical exercise physiologists (CEPs) are allied health care professionals who apply evidence based strategies to design, implement and supervise exercise programming for those with chronic diseases, conditions and/or physical limitations. They also are qualified to assess, prescribe, and monitor therapeutic exercise and implement lifestyle behavior techniques. The CEP is employed in a variety of settings and populations such as cardiac rehabilitation (CR), pulmonary rehabilitation, cardiology exercise testing laboratories, oncology, metabolic disorders, obesity/bariatric surgery and other settings; however, there is uncertainty of job tasks required within the workforce. PURPOSE: Describe the prevalence of CEPs working in CR in the United States and their job tasks. METHODS: CR program managers in the United States were sent an email invitation to participate in an electronic survey from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Depending on the participant’s responses, the final survey could be as few as 11 and up to 44 required multiple choice questions RESULTS: Among 297 CR programs, 86% (n = 256) stated they staff a clinical exercise professional. The minimum level of degree for clinical exercise staff was n = 236 (92%) bachelor’s and n = 20 (8%) master’s. A clinical internship was required before hire in n = 104 (41%) programs. The mean number of internship hours required was 600 + 492 (range = 50-2080). The ACSM clinical exercise physiology credential was preferred or required within 1 year 70% (n = 178) programs. Job tasks performed by clinical exercise staff in these CR programs were provided patient education (99%), measured blood pressure via auscultation (98%), monitored ECG during exercise (96%), assessed patient symptoms (94%), measured blood glucose (89%), and screened patients entering CR (84%). CONCLUSIONS: Findings revealed important commonalities among CEP skills and responsibilities. The level of autonomy in CR demonstrates the importance of fusing clinical education within exercise science curricula using experiential learning in clinical internships for adequate workforce preparation.